Ball and pin handling mechanism



March 28, 1961 R. L. HOLLOWAY BALL AND PIN HANDLING MECHANISM 3 She ets-Sheet 1 Filed May 14, 1957 INVENTOR ROBERT L. HOLLOWAY BY M ATTO NEY March 28, 1961 R. 1.. HOLLOWAY BALL AND PIN HANDLING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 14, 1957 NVENTOR ROBERT L. HOLLOWAY BY .M 7

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ATTO NEY March 28, 1961 R. L. HOLLOWAY BALL AND PIN HANDLING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 14, 1957 \NVENTOR ROBERT L. HOLLOWAY BY .%zz z W ATTORNEY United States Patent BALL AND PIN HANDLING MECHANISM Robert L. Holloway, Snyder, N.Y., assignor to American Machine & Foundry Co., a corporation of New Jersey Filed May 14, 1957, Ser. No. 658,987

16 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) This invention relates to improvements in automatic bowling pin setting machines and particularly to a novel and improved mechanism concerned with the handling of pins and balls from thetime they are removed from an alley, either through normal play by a ball or by a suitable sweep mechanism, until the pins are transferred to a pin setter for resetting uponan alley in playing position and the ball routed back to the bowler.

In a bowling pin spotting machine of this general type,

.one mechanism, generally known as a pit mechanism, is

employed to receive pins and balls swept or removed from a bowling alley into the pit adjacent to the end of the alley. Another mechanism is generally employed to separate the ball from the pins and elevate the ball separately from the pins. Another mechanism is generally employed to receive the pins from the pit mechanism and elevate said pins to a pin distributing mechanism. The separation of balls and pins in .the pit area and the transfer of pins and balls from one mechanism to another increases the elapsed time in pin .and ball travel.

In accordance with the invention, pins and balls received in the pit of a bowling alley from the playing surface of a bowling alley are handled and elevated by the opposed faces of two pit wide co-acting traveling members, such as conveyor belts. One of the conveyor belts is generally L shaped extending from the end of the bowling alley to the rear of the pit and thence upwardly for a suflicient distance to deliver pins and balls to a point of discharge. The second conveyor belt passes over a plurality of rollers, one being large and located at the cornerof the L of the other conveyor and another at the point of elevated discharge. The opposed vertical laps of these two conveyors are so situated as to be in contact with each other and pins and balls become wedged between the two conveyors at the corner ofthe L, travel under the large roller, and are elevated between the substantially vertical laps of the two conveyors to a point of discharge. V

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a single mechanism to simultaneously handleballs and pins from the time they are received'in the pit, from the alley playing surface, elevated, and pins are delivered to a distributing mechanism and the ball is placed on a return track for eventual return to the bowler.

It is also an object of the invention to reduce the num-j of a single mechanism, is to reduce the elapsed time'of of drive, indirection as indicated by arrow."

for the purpose of removing the energy from a bowling V ball to enable it to be handled by other mechanisms. It is an object, of a modified form of this invention, to eliminate the mechanism to retard ball speed and combine this function as an auxiliary funotion'of a member in this invention primarily incorporated for other reasons completely unassociated with ball retarding.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain combinations and constructions which will be-hereinafter fully described and then specifically set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the novel handling mechanism and 'its operating means. a

Figure 2 is a partial side elevation of the preferredembodiment illustrated in Figure 1, showing its operating means. 1

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a modification of the novel handling mechanism and its operating means. Figure 4 is a partial side elevation of the modification illustrated in Figure 3 showing its operating means;

Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the novel handling mechanism and its operating means.

Figure 6 is a partial side elevation of the modification illustrated in Figure 5 showing its operating means.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the bowling ball and pin handling mechanism selected to illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention is mounted between conventional kickbacks K1 and K2 suitably supported in pit. P adjacent to and at the rear of the playing surface of alley 10. The invention comprises an endless moving belt or apron '12, preferably constructed of a resilient material such as leather, rubber,-or fabric, or combinations thereof, which as viewed in Figure 1, is generally L shaped in its path of travel' around rollers 14, .16, 1-8

andcylinder 20. Rollers 14, 16, 18 are fixed to shafts 22,

24, 26, respectively, and these shafts are properly supported in suitable bearings in or on kickbacks Kland K2. Sheave 28 fixed .toshaft 26 is driven preferably continuously by belt 30 and motor 32, supported on platform 34 attached to kickback K2 or by any other suitable means Links 36 (only one of which is shown) are mounted on shaft 26 and'are pivotallyconnected and support shaft 38. Roller 40cis securedtoandrotates with shaft 38. Shaft 38 passes' thr'ough.apertures9 4flin kick-.

backs K1 and K2 andhas fixed to it at one end a sheave 42 'which is drivenby belt 44 running onsheave46 fixed pin and ball 'travel' by eliminating points of transfer from one mechanismto another.

It is an additional object bathe invention t H a mechanism in which themembers contaotingpms and balls are constructed of a soft material, suehasjrubber or fabric, to not only minimize butgeliminatewearand;

"damage to.pinsandballs,. e? um, jv to and-rotating 'with shaft-26,, -Roller 50, supporfedon suitable shaft (not shown), cylipger izo supported on shaft 21Ia're 'suspended between frames 5-2 These frames are generally triangular in; shape'f'(only one of which iss hown) and'ar e' pivotally mounted atone corner of "a resilient material such as leather; rubber, fabric o'r "on-shaft 3's. "All rotate-in the direction indicated-by arrows in Figure landhence belt 48,' which-is cofistructed' combinations thereof is moved in the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 1.

Pins and balls removed from the playing surface of alley it either through normal play by a ball or by a sweep mechanism, are deposited on the upper lap of apron 12 in pit P, which as shown in Figure l is sub stantially horizontal. Apron 12 is preferably in continuous motion. Flying pins from alley into pit P are deflected onto the upper lap of apron '12 by ourtain 54 which is suspended from above on shaft 56 in a convenient manner by suitable framework (not shown}. The lower end of curtain dd is attached to cushion or ball stop 58, suspended from above in a convenient manner by suitable framework (not shown). Pin deflector curtain 54 and its supporting structure may be similar in construction and operation to that shown in the copending Zuerche-r application, Serial Number 277,991 filed March 22, 1952, now Patent No. 2,803,462, for pin curtain for pinspotters.

Balls thrown on alley 10 usually have sufficient speed to cause an arc of trajectory greater than the space provided in the length of pit P. Therefore, ball stop 58 is employed to decelerate and defiect balls onto the upper lap of apron 12. Balls contact cross member 6% which is suitably secured to arms 62 attached as by welding, to cross shaft 64. Alley tail plank es is secured to the end of alley 16 to prevent any pins from coming to rest between apron 12 and the end of alley 16. Platform 68, suitably secured between opposed faces of kickbacks K1 and K2, supports and prevents the upper lap of apron 12 from sagging under load or impact of balls and or pins.

Cylinder or roller 21 is formed or constructed preferably of resilient material, such as rubber. If desired cylinder 20 also could be of pneumatic construction. Belt 48 passes around cylinder 20 forming a bight with apron 12 as apron 12 moves around cylinder Zii. Pins and balls singularly or in any arrangement or grouping, carried to the rear of pit P on the upper substantially horizontal lap of apron 12, are held in the bight and moved into the opposed vertical faces of the co-acting lap of apron 12 and belt 48. Cylinder 20 is of sufficient diameter to ensure proper gripping of balls and pins in the bight formed by co-acting apron 12 and belt 48. Preferably, cylinder 21) has a diameter twice that of a standard bowling ball. In the case of bowling balls used in the game of ten pins, the diameter of a bowling ball is nine inches. Thus the preferred diameter of cylinder 20 may be approximately eighteen inches although it may be greater.

Because of its construction cylinder 20 can accommodate itself for the passage of pins and balls between the co-acting, vertical laps of apron 12 and belt 48. Frames 52, can rotate about their pivotal connections on shaft 38,'causing upward movement of cylinder 20 there by permittingpins and balls held in the bight between apron 12 and belt 48 to move past cylinderztt between the opposed vertical co-acting laps of apron 12, and belt 4.

Pins and balls passing between the opposedco-acting vertical laps of apron 12 and belt 48 are held and elevated to a point of discharge above pit P. As the pins and balls are iifted, the pivotal suspension of link arms 36 causes the members, supported by frames 52 to move upward in an arc of rotation controlled byshaft 38 and arcuate apertures 94 thereby permitting passage of pins and balls between the co-acting vertical laps of apron 12 and belt 48 andpast roller 40.

Plate 70, suitably supported by brackets 72 to frames 52, prevents belt 48 from sagging nnder load and maintains pressure through the vertical lap of belt 48 against pins and balls andthe opposed co-acting vertical lap of apron 12,'assisting the elevationof pins and balls. Since frames 52,.arepivotallysuspcnded only atone corner on shaft 38, all elements supported by frames 52 direct a force or gravity bias due to their individual weights, in the direction of vertical lapiof apron 12 and maintain the inside corner of the L. formed by apron 12.

Stops 74 suitably secured to kickbacks K1 and K2 restrict the downward movement of arms 36 tending to iimit pressure that can be applied against apron 12 by the mechanism supported by frames 52.

As belt 48 rounds roller 40, pins and balls carried upwardly between the opposed co-acting vertical laps of apron 12 and belt 48 are deposited on surface S1 of belt 48. Pins 76 through frictional engagement with surface S, of belt 48 are moved forwardly between guides 78, into pin transfer mechanism (partially shown) designated generally 80. Deflectors 82, secured to arms 34 attached to frames 52, direct pins between belts 86 which rotate around pulleys 88 secured to shafts 9ii and are driven in any suitable manner (not shown). Pins deposited between belts 88 are moved forwardly ,in a head down butt up position as indicated by pin 92, due to spacing of belts 83 and the center of gravity and gen eral contour of pin-92, to a pin spotting mechanism (not shown) for spotting upon playing deck of alley 11 Fixed to shaft 96 is a roller 97 having spiral or threadlike grooves, is located transversely between and is supported in suitable bearings (not shown) in or on kickbacks K1 and K2. Secured to shaft 96 is a sheave 98 on which runs belt 100 driven by sheave 1G2 mounted on shaft 26, and all parts rotate in direction as indicated by arrows. As ball 103 is discharged onto surface S1, it is held between the vertical lap of apron 12, and spiral roller 97. The rotation of roller 97 moves ball 183 sideways on surface S1 and through opening 164 onto suitable return track (not shown) for eventual return to the bowler.

Figures 3 and 4- disclose a modified form of the invention in which pin transfer mechanism 811 has been eliminated and triangular-shaped frames 52 replaced by substantially similar F frames designated generally 112, pivotally supported on shaft 38. Cylinder 129, which has the same construction and operation as cylinder 20 is mounted onshaft 121 supported in the lower ends of F frames 112 as illustrated in Figure 3. Roller 140 which has the same construction and operation as roller 40 is mounted on shaft 38. Belt 114i is constructed and functions in a manner similar to belt 43 except that it has a path of travel around roller 14% and cylinder 120.

A ball guide bar 116 is suitably supported between the upper arms of F frames 112 opposite and in spaced relation with roller 140 and inclined toward aperture 118 in kickback K2. A pin platform 114 is suitably supported on the lower arms of F frame 112, preferably with one edge adjacent the outer lap of belt 119 and downwardly inclining therefrom as shown in Figure 3.

In the forms of the invention shown in Figures 3-6 inclusive, curtain 106, freely suspended by its upper edge from shaft 36 in a'convenient manner by suitable framework (not shown), operates to deflect flying pins from alley 11) onto the upper substantially horizontal lap of apron 12. The lower edge of curtain-loo is unattached,

, and provided with Weight 1113 to maintain curtain 11 6 in substantially vertical position.

In the pin and ball handling apparatus shown in Figures 3-6 inclusive, a backstop is unnecessary-and has been eliminated. Its function in these modifications is performe by the outer lap, of belt and cylinder 7 120, both constructed ofresilierit material which absorbs themomentumof bowling balls from falleyltl and dc posits them on'apron'12.

, The pin and .ballghandling mechanism as mofdified aboveis operative in the same general manner asthe preferredembodiment disclosed in Figures land 2. .All

like members function in like manner.

Pins and balls deposited on upper laplot""apronplz in pit P are moved into bight between apron 12 and belt 110 and elevated between the substantially vertical opposed laps of apron 12 and belt 110 in similar manner as hereto-fore disclosed in the preferred embodiment. As belt 110 rounds roller 40, pins are discharged to pin platform 114 which is set preferably at an angle on frames 112 to deflect discharged pins into a suitable pin transfer mechanism (not shown) Bowling balls 103, discharged as belt 110 rounds roller 40, comes in contact with ball guide 116, spaced to prevent ball 103 from dropping between ball guide 116 and belt 110 but with sufiicient clearance not to engage discharged pins. Ball guide 116 is inclined to cause ball 103 to gravitate toward and through aperture 118 in kickback K2 onto suitable return track (not shown).

A further modification of pin and ball handling mechanism embodying the invention is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. In this modification, ball guide bar 116 has been eliminated and F frames 112 replaced by substantially identical frames designated generally 125,- pivotally mounted at the upper end to shaft 38. Cylinder 220 which has the same construction and operation as cylinder 20 is mounted on shaft 221 supported in the lower ends of frames 125. Roller 240 which has the same construction and operation as roller 40 is mounted on shaft 38. i j

Belt 210 is constructed and functions in a manner similar to belt 48 except that it has a path of travel around roller 240 and cylinder 220.

Endless belt or apron 126 is mounted on frames .12 e and has a canted path of travel around rollers 122 and 124 such that the upper lap of apron 126 inclines simultaneously both upwardly from the outer lap of belt 210 and downwardly toward kickback K2 as shown in Figure 5. Roller 122 is supported on shaft 123 which is journalled in frames 125 and inclnied downwardly-toward kickback K2. Roller 124 is mounted on and rotates with shaft 127 which is adjacent the outer lap .of belt 210 and inclined downwardly toward aperture 118 in kickback K2. Shaft 127 is supported in frames 125 and extends through arcuate apertures 134 in kickback K1, aperture 134 being concentric and in spaced relation with arcuate aperture 94. Fixed to shaft 127 is sheave 128 which is driven by belt 130 running on sheave 132 fixed to and rotating with shaft 38. j

Pins discharged from endless belt 126 are deflected by pin platform 136, supported by kickbacks K1 and K2 and located adjacent belt 126 as it passes over roller 122.

All other parts of this modification are identical in construction and operation with like parts heretofore described in the preferredembodiment or in a modified form of the preferred embodiment of this invention.

In operation, bowling pins and balls elevated between opposed laps of apron 12 and, belt 210 in'like manner as heretofore described are discharged as belt 210 rounds roller 240. The passage of bowling pins and balls be- .tween the vertical laps ofapron 12 and belt 210 and past roller 240 is accomplished by the pivotalconnection between link arms 36 and frames 125 and by the action of apertures 94 and 134, e I i i Pins discharged onto upper lap of belt 126 as belt 210 rounds roller 240, are carriedby frictional engagement backs adjacent the sides of said pit, comprising an endless traveling conveyor belt substantially co-extensive with the width of said pit having a substantially horizontal portion and a portioninclined at a point toward the rear of said pit, an elongated pulley supporting said conveyor belt adjacent its point of uppermost travel above said pit, a rotatable shaft mounting said pulley, means for driving said shaft, elongated members supported at their upper ends at spaced points on said shaft, a second endless conveyor belt having a portion adjacent to and co-acting with said inclined portion of said first conveyor belt, a frame mounting said second conveyor belt, for free displacement away from said portion of said firstnamed conveyor belt, support means on said frame for said second conveyor belt including an elongated pulley mounted adjacent the point of discharge of pins and balls elevated between said coacting portions of said conveyor belts, said support means also including a rotatable shaft for said last-named pulley journalled in said frame and supported in the lower ends of said elongated members, and means for driving said last-named shaft.

2. Pin and ball elevating apparatus for bowling'alleys having a pit at the rear of said alley for receiving pins and balls frornthe playing surface of said alley and kickbacks adjacent the sides of said pit, comprising an endless traveling conveyor belt substantially co-extensive forward over roller'126 and discharged'ontoipin plat form 136 which isset, peferably at an angIe -in kicker backssKl and K2 to deflect the pins to a suitablelpin f Bowling balls discharged onto upper lap-of belt as}, belt-110 rounds roller 40 cannot be moved, forwardiby =beltel26rbecause of their sphericalshapebutjdue to the slope of the upper lap of belt 1'2 6,bl1wling-balls thus en-". 6

secondconveyor belt to'afpin distributing device, atransa erse member, means fmo'unting said nirhbfhn spaced p v and baniejgvafing' ,mggg b hbw aui j relation-as determined'fbl the diamete'rkiof a'bowling'v ,transfer mechanism (not shown).

gaged r oll towards and through aperture 118 i n a'ck K2 to a suitable. return tracktnot shown)-.

' r .WhatIclaim'ist r having a pit, at therear of saidj'alley for. receivingj pins substantially ver'ticallap for co -action 'with 'said vertical portion of. s'aidfirst named conveyor belt to elevate pins;

with the width of said pit having a substantially horizontal portion and a portion inclined at a point toward the rear of saidpit, an elongated pulley supporting said conveyor belt adjacent its point of uppermost travel above said pit, a rotatable shaft mounting said pulley, means for driving said shaft, elongated members supported at their upper ends at spaced points on said shaft, a second endless conveyor belt having a portion adjacent to and co-acting with said inclined portion of said first conveyorbelt, a frame mounting said second conveyor belt for free displacement from said first-named conveyor belt in response to the pressure of balls and pins between said belts, support'means for said second conveyor belt including an elongated pulley mounted adjacent the point of discharge of pins and balls elevated between said co-acting portions of said conveyor belts,

said support means also including a rotatable shaft for ated alley, and separate means for transferring pins to a .point of release.

l 3. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end, a pin and ball elevating mechanism'comprising, endless travelling conveyor belts extending transversely of said pit and pro vided with substantially vertical co-acting ball and pin holding and lifting laps for holding and'elevating pins and balls to a point of discharge, means supporting a,

portion of one of said conveyor belts substantially horizontally in said pit, means mounting another portion of said conveyor belt in a substantially vertical plane, a

frame mounting-said second conveyor belt providing a and bialls to a point of discharge;and'ifurtherproviding-a substantially horizontal lap adjacent-said point: of discharge for delivering "discharged pins only ,to a; point. of releaseiimeans adjacent said point of release to transferpins discharged from 'said horiz'ontal 'po rtion of said said horizontal tportion of said second conveyor belt for engaging balls only after said discharge and delivering said balls to a return track mechanism, and means for driving said conveyor belts.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 above wherein said transverse member includes an elongated pulley provided with helical groovings for motivating balls only engaged thereby to a ball return device, a rotatable shaft mounting said pulley, and means for driving said shaft.

5. The invention as defined in claim 3 above including means for transferring pins to a position remote from said point of discharge of balls and pins, said means comprising pin deflectors supported by said frames and adjacent the point of release of pins from said horizontal portion of said second-named conveyor, endless belts extending from adjacent said point of release to a point remote therefrom, means mounting said belts in spaced relationship to each other as determined by the diameter of a bowling pin, and means for driving said belts.

6. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end, a pin and ball elevating mechanism comprising a discharge station, an endless travelling surface having a substantially vertical section and a substantially horizontal section located in said pit, and adapted to receive balls and pins thereon, a second endless travelling surface having a substantially vertical section disposed proximate said vertical section of said first-named endless travelling surface, means for driving each of said travelling surfaces to convey pins and balls on said substantially horizontal section of said first-named endless travelling surface between said two opposed substantially vertical sections, support means for said second-named surface mounted for free displacement in response to the pressure exerted by pins and balls between said surfaces to effect relative lateral separation of said surfaces to accommodate and hold said pins and/or balls therebetween for delivery by said surfaces to said discharge station, and means at said discharge station for separating pins from said balls.

7. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end, a pin and ball elevating apparatus, said apparatus comprising an endless travelling surface substantially co-extensive with the width of said pit, means supporting a portion of said surface substantially horizontally in said pit for receiving and delivering pins and balls discharged from said alley into said pit rearwardly in said pit to a position at the rear thereof for substantially vertical movement to a point of discharge, means mounting another portion of said surface in a substantially vertical transverse plane, a second endless travelling surface disposed proximate said first-named travelling surface and having a portion there of positioned to form a bight with said first-named travelling surface for gripping balls and pins delivered into said bight by said horizontally mounted portion of said first-named travelling surface for elevation by said substantially vertical portion of said first-named travelling surface and said second-named travelling surface to said point of discharge, support means for said second-named surface mounted for free displacement in response to the pressure exerted by pins and balls between said surfaces to effect lateral separation of said surface to ace-3m modate and hold said pins and/or balls therebetween for delivery by said surfaces to said point of discharge, means for separating balls from pins at said point of disch'arge,separate means for transferring pins ;to a point of release, and 'meansfor driving said surfaces 8; In a bowling pin spotting machine for. use with a bowling alley having apitat oneend, a .pin and ball elevating mechanism, comprising "in combination, an

substantially vertical plane -a second endlesstravelling surface, having a vertical portion disposed proximate said vertical portion of said first-named .endlesstravelling surface, meansfor'driving said endless travelling surfaces, support means normally biasing said portion of said second surface into predetermined spaced relationship with said first-named surface, means mounting said support means for free displacement awayrfrom said first-named surface in response to the presence of balls and/ or pins for holding balls and pins delivered between said surfaces for elevation to a point of discharge above the pit of said alley, and means at said point of discharge for separating pins fromballs.

9. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end, a pin and ball elevating mechanism, comprising in combination, an endless travelling surface extending along one side of said pit, means mounting a portion of said surface in a substantially vertical plane, a second endless travelling surface, having a vertical portion disposed proximate said vertical portion of said first-named endless travelling surface, support means normally biasing said portion of said second surface into predetermined spaced relationship with said first-named surface, including means mounting said support means for free displacement away from said first-named surface in response to the presence of balls and/or pins for holding balls and pins delivered between said surfaces for elevation to a point of discharge above the pit of said alley, means at said Point of discharge for separating pins from balls, said support means comprising a shaft, links swingably mounted at opposite ends of said shaft, frames supporting said second travelling surface pivotally supported by said links, a plurality of pulleys mounting each of said travelling surfaces, including a resilient pulley carried by said frames and positioned adjacent said pit for said second travelling surface, said resilient pulley having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of a bowling ball, and means for driving at least one of said plurality of pulleys supporting said travelling surfaces.

10. Pin and ball elevating apparatus for bowling alleys having a pit at the rear of said alley for'receiving pins and balls from the playing surface of said alley, comprising opposed elongated pin and ball holding and lifting members for delivering pins and balls removed from endless travelling surface, extending along one; side of said pit, "meanstmounting a portion of said surfacejin a v V discharge, means at said point of discharge for Separatsaid playing surface to an elevated point of discharge, support means normally biasing one of said members into predetermined operative position with the other member, including means mounting said support means to effect conjoint vertical and lateral displacement of one of said members relative to theother in response to the pressure exerted by balls and/ or pins between said members to accommodate and hold said balls and/or pins for delivery by said members to said point of discharge, and means for driving said opposed holding and lifting members.

11. The invention defined in claim 10' including a frame mounting one of said members, and "wherein said support means includes elongated arms pivotally supporting said frame for movement relative to said other-member.

12. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end, a pin and ball elevating mechanism comprising opposed elongatedpin and ball holding and lifting members for delivering pins and balls removed from the playing surface of, said alley V "to an elevated point of discharge, fixed supports for-one of said 'r'nembers, movable support means for the other ofsaid members normally biasing said last-named mem- 'ber' into predeterminedoperative relationship with the other of said members-Lo receive balls and pins therebe twe en, said last named'meansincluding means mounting support, "means to 'eifectrelative lateral separation and conjoint vertical movement between said members to hold and convey balls and/onpinsto saidjpoinfof ling balls from pins, and means for driving said members.

alley having a pit at the rear of said alley for receiving pins and balls from the playing surface of said alley comprising in combination, endless travelling conveyor belts located in said pit, and provided with substantially vertical opposed co-acting ball and pin holding and lifting portions, one of said conveyor belts having a substantially horizontal pin and ball receiving and supporting section in said pit a frame mounting the other of said conveyor belts for coaction with said first-named c011- veyor belt, support means mounting said frame for free movement to and from said first-named conveyor, a plurality of elongated pulleys supporting said conveyor belt carried by said frame, including a pulley of resilient material to effect the concurrent delivery of balls and pins carried on said horizontal section of said first-named conveyor between said substantially vertical opposed portions of said conveyor belts, said support means being operative in response to the pressure exerted by pins and/ or balls between said conveyor belts to eifect relative separating movement between said belts to hold and lift said pins and/or balls, and means for driving said conveyor belts.

14. The invention defined in claim 6, wherein said support means for said second-named surface includes a frame, a transverse member carried by said frame adjacent said discharge station, said member beingspaced from said first-named surface at said discharge station a distance greater than the maximum diameter of a bowling pin and less than the diameter of a bowling ball, and

means positioned beneath said member to receiving and conveying pins away from said discharge station.

15. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said support means for said second-named travelling surface includes a frame, third travelling surface mounted on said frame adjacent and below said discharge station to receive pins separated from balls by said separating means and means for driving said third travelling surface.

16. The apparatus defined in claim 10 wherein said member comprises endless travelling belts, and said support means include a gravity-biased frame mounting one of said belts, a plurality of pulleys rotatably supported in said frame on which said belt carried by said frame travels, including a pulley having a diameter greater than the diameter of a bowling ball, the gravity bias of said frame, said pulleys and belt supported thereby normally being operative to maintain said belt on said frame in said predetermined operative position with said other belt.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,514,185 Van Houten Nov. 4, 1924 1,712,186 White May 7, 1929 2,293,018 Hagquist Aug. 11, 1942 2,341,476 Parra Feb. 8, 1944 2,470,052 Rundell May 10, 1949 2,590,644 Patterson Mar. 25, 1952 2,622,879 Frye Dec. 23, 1952 2,642,178 Naylor June 16, 1953 

